Method of detecting lung disease

Abstract

A method of facilitating the obtaining of a mucus sample from at least one lung of a subject comprises administering to at least one lung of the subject, in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucous secretions and/or stimulate cilia beat frequency therein, uridine 5'-triphosphate, an active analog thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of either thereof, and, optionally, concurrently administering to said at least one lung a physiologically acceptable salt in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucus secretions therein. A sputum or mucus sample is then collected from said at least one lung, which sample can then be analyzed for lung disease. Pharmaceutical compositions useful for carrying out the method comprise UTP or a salt thereof, alone or in combination with a physiologically acceptable salt, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of either thereof. The composition may be a liquid/liquid suspension composition or a dry powder composition.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis application concerns lung diagnostic assays in general, and particularly concerns a lung diagnostic assay in which lung mucus secretions are hydrated to facilitate collection thereof.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe analysis of sputum samples is particularly important in the treatment and diagnosis of many lung disorders, including lung cancer and tuberculosis (TB).In particular, microbial infections of the lung are a serious problem in patients afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Two particularly problematic infections are Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia infections and mycobacterial infections.Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia infections are typically referred to as "PCP" infections. It is now estimated that approximately 70 percent of patients afflicted with AIDS will contract this disease. PCP may be treated with pentamidine isethionate, but an unfortunate side effect of this treatment is its toxicity. Accordingly, there is a continued ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Also disclosed is a method of facilitating the obtaining of a mucus sample from at least one lung of a subject, comprising administering to at least one lung of said subject, in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucous secretions, and/or stimulate mucus secretions therein, and/or stimulate ciliary beat frequency therein, a compound of Formula (I) as given above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and then collecting a mucus sample from said at least one lung of said subject. The mucus samples collected may then be analyzed for the presence or absence of lung diseas...

Problems solved by technology

In particular, microbial infections of the lung are a serious problem in patients afflicted with acquired immune deficiency ...